Container filling apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling flow of a flowable material. The flowable material passes from a product supply through one or more valves which are coupled to a controller. The controller is also coupled to one or more sensors operable to generate a signal indicating whether flowable product is present or not present at a specific level within a container. The controller is programmed to operate the valves based on signals received from the sensors. The sensors may be associated with the feed container and used to control metering of flowable product out of the feed container, or they may be associated with a container and used to control filling of the container with flowable product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to container filling systems and moreparticularly to container filling systems which determine a containerfill level based on direct sensing of products being filled.

Flowable products, particularly products in liquid form are stored,transported, and sold in containers such as bottles and cans. In a smallto mass-production environment large numbers of such containers arefilled with a known amount of liquid product by filling machinesdedicated to that purpose.

Known container filling machinery typically meters the amount of productfor a specific container by either weight or volume prior to thecontainer actually being filled. Prior art machinery thus does not usethe dynamics of the material being filled to aid in or to be an activeparticipant in the filling process of a container. Furthermore, priorart machinery that meters by weight does not guarantee that a containeris filled to proper or desired volume fill level (it could be fooled byforeign objects).

This metering is performed by devices such as gear pumps, diaphragmpumps, piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, flow meters, worm gear, lobegear pumps, etc. This is an extremely expensive procedure due in part tothe cost involved in the pumps, which need to be extremely accurate andreproducible. These pieces of equipment as well as the related flowmeters require a further array of very expensive control electronics andequipment.

These systems are also very difficult to clean because of all theintricate pump parts and piping that is required to allow the system tofunction properly. Another drawback is the sensitivity of these fillingmachines to viscosity of the product and the temperature of the productand pressure used to fill the product as well as the composition of theproduct.

Another drawback to these devices is their inability to pump and meteraccurately and continuously materials that contain particulate matterwithin the formula such as pumice in a hand soap. This type of materialusually destroys the pump's ability to meter, and causes wear on gearpumps, piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, worm gear pumps, lobe gearpumps, etc.

Accordingly, there is a need for a container filing apparatus which issimple in operation and tolerant to various materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This need is addressed by the present invention, which provides acontainer filling apparatus and process in which the material beingfilled in a container is a participatory part of the dynamic fillingprocess.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of filling acontainer with a flowable product includes: flowing a first flowableproduct from a product supply through a valve and a nozzle into thecontainer while the container is carried on a support; using a firstsensor to determine when the flowable product has reached a firstpredetermined fill level within the container, and to generate a firstfilled signal indicative thereof; and based on the first filled signalfrom the first sensor, closing the valve so as to stop the flow of thefirst flowable product.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of filling acontainer with a flowable product includes: providing at least oneproduct supply comprising at least one feed container containing aflowable product, coupled to a valve and a nozzle; providing at leastone support for a container; providing two or more sensors disposed inpreselected positions corresponding to different fill levels of flowableproduct within the container, wherein each sensor is operable togenerate a filled signal in response to flowable product reaching one ofthe fill levels within the container; flowing a flowable product fromthe at least one product supply through the corresponding valve andnozzle into the container, while the container is carried by the atleast one support; using each sensor to generate a filled signal asflowable product reaches a fill level corresponding to that sensor, andin response to each filled signal, either: (a) operating thecorresponding valve so as to change the flowrate of the flowable productcurrently flowing into the container; or (b) operating the correspondingvalve to stop the flow of the flowable product and flowing a differentflowable product from the at least one product supply through thecorresponding valve and nozzle into the container, while the containeris carried by the at least one support.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for filling acontainer with a flowable product includes: a product supply operable tocreate a flow of the flowable product; a nozzle; a valve coupled betweenthe product supply and the nozzle; a sensor mounted in a preselectedposition relative to the apparatus, the sensor operable to generate afilled signal in response to the product reaching a predetermined filllevel within the container; and a controller operably coupled to thesensor, wherein the controller is operable to operate the valve inresponse to the filled signal.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of metering aflowable product from a feed container includes: providing a productsupply comprising a feed container containing a flowable product,coupled to a valve; providing a sensor disposed in a positioncorresponding to a selected fill level of flowable product within thefeed container, wherein the sensor is operable to generate a signalindicating that the flowable product is either present or not present atthe selected fill level; flowing a flowable product from the feedcontainer through the valve; and in response to a signal from the sensorindicating that the flowable product is not present, closing the valveto stop the flow of the flowable product.

According to another aspect of the invention, apparatus for metering aflowable product from a feed container, includes: a product supplycomprising a feed container, coupled to a valve; a sensor disposed in aposition corresponding to a selected fill level of flowable productwithin the feed container, wherein the sensor is operable to generate asignal indicating that the flowable product is either present or notpresent at the selected fill level; and a controller operably coupled tothe sensor, wherein the controller is programmed to close the valve tostop the flow of the flowable product in response to a signal from thesensor indicating that the flowable product is not present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be best understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a filling apparatus constructed in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the filling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an articulated sensor arm for use with thefilling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-6 are sequential schematic side views of a nozzle and acontainer during a first type of filling sequence;

FIGS. 7-9 are sequential schematic side views of a nozzle and acontainer during a second type of filling sequence;

FIGS. 10-11 are sequential schematic side views of a nozzle and acontainer during a third type of filling sequence;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a metering apparatus constructed in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of a metering apparatus incorporating analternative sensor assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denotethe same elements throughout the various views, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratean exemplary filling apparatus 10 constructed according to the presentinvention and used to fill a container “C” with a flowable product. Asused herein the term “flowable product” refers to any substance which iscapable of deforming under shear stress and flowing, such as granularmaterials, particulates, powders, liquids, and gases. The basiccomponents of the apparatus 10 are a supply 12 of a flowable product“P”, a fill valve assembly 14, a nozzle 16, a product level sensor 18,and a controller 20. Each of these components is described in moredetail below.

The supply 12 is configured so that it is operable to cause the productP to flow from the point where it is stored to the nozzle 16.Nonlimiting examples of means for causing flow include pumps, gaspressurization, mechanical feeders such as augers, or gravity flow. Theflowable product can be low or high viscosity, or a gel, and can containsolids or abrasives. In the illustrated example, the supply 12 includesat least one feed container 22 housing a flowable product P, coupled toa pneumatically-operated diaphragm pump 24 of a known type by an intakeline 26. If desired, multiple containers (not shown) may be coupled tothe pump 24, for example where the container C is to be filled with amixture of two or more products. A compressed air source “A” isconnected to the pump 24. A feed line 28 runs from the pump 24 to amanifold 30 which is mounted to a stationary support frame 32. Themanifold 30 includes several outlets 34, each with an isolation valve36. For simplicity of description, only one fill valve assembly 14 andnozzle 16 is shown, however it will be understood that any number offill valve assemblies 14 and nozzles 16 may be connected to the manifold30 so as to create multiple filling “stations”.

A line 38 runs from the isolation valve 36 to a metering valve 40. Themetering valve 40 is an optional component, and if used, may be of atype suitable to throttle the flow to the fill valve apparatus 14 asdesired.

The fill valve assembly 14 includes a fill valve 42 connected betweenmetering valve 40 and the nozzle 16. The fill valve 42 is functional toselectively permit flow from the supply 12 to the nozzle 16 or to closeoff or otherwise operate, i.e. adjust as necessary that flow, inresponse to commands from the controller 20.

In the illustrated example, the fill valve 42 is a pneumaticallyoperated “pinch valve” of a known type in which introduction ofcompressed air causes an internal conduit to clamp down or “pinch” offthe flow of product P. Such valves are available from Schubert & Salzer,Inc., Concord, N.C. 28027 USA. The fill valve 42 opens when the airsupply is cut off.

In the illustrated example, a solenoid 44 is connected between the fillvalve 42 and the compressed air source A. The solenoid 44 is connectedto the controller 20, for example by a cable 46, and is operable eitherto permit compressed air flow to the fill valve 42 or to blockcompressed air flow, in response to the controller 20 or to bemanipulated as necessary. While a pinch valve and separate solenoid areused in this example, it will be understood that any type of fill valve(e.g. pinch valve, ball valve, gate valve, rotor valve, butterfly valve,electric valve, pneumatic valve, hydraulic valve, shut-off mechanism,diverting mechanism, etc.) and actuator combination may be used so longas it is operable to selectively permit flow from the supply 12 to thenozzle 16 or to close off or adjust as necessary that flow, in responseto commands from the controller 20. In some cases, the fill valve 42 mayincorporate an actuator into its structure such that the separatesolenoid 44 may not be required.

The nozzle 16 is connected to the downstream end of the fill valve 42.Any type of nozzle effective to form a desired fluid stream or spraypattern may be used. The nozzle 16 may be configured to physicallyengage the opening in the container C, to be placed through the openingand into the interior of the container C, or simply to be placed in thevicinity of the opening in the container C. In some filling processes,described in more detail below, it is desirable that the nozzle 16 takethe form of an elongated tube which extends into the container C duringfilling.

The product level sensor 18 may be any device operable to determine whenthe level of the product P in the container C has reached apredetermined fill level. The sensor 18 need only generate a simplebinary signal indicating that product is either present or not presentwithin the threshold of the sensor's range. Nonlimiting examples ofsensor operational principles include inductance, capacitance, light,sound, heat, air temperature, colorimeter, pH, and nuclear. In theillustrated example, the sensor 18 is a capacitance-type sensor of aknown type, which is particularly useful because it is suitable for mostcontainer materials, including opaque or transparent containers. Sensorsof this type are available from Balluff Inc., Florence, Ky. 41042 USA.The sensor 18 is operably coupled to the controller 20, for example bycable 48. This connection can be wired or wireless.

In the illustrated example, the sensor 18 is mounted by a bracket 50 sothat its tip is the proper physical relationship to the container C whenthe predetermined fill level is reached.

Other methods may be used to mount the sensor 18. For example, FIG. 3illustrates an optional articulated arm 52 comprising a pivoting base54, which would be mounted to a supporting structure. The base 54 ispivotable in at least one plane as shown by the arrows. Extending fromthe base 54 are several arms (56, 58, and 60), interconnected byclamp-type cross-connectors 62. The last arm 60 carries a holder 64which in turn carries the sensor 18. The cross-connectors 62 can beloosened and then slide or pivot relative to the arms 56, 58, or 60 asneeded.

A conveyor 66 of a known type (such as a belt or roller conveyor,powered or non-powered) is mounted underneath the nozzle 16 and isconfigured to position a container C with its mouth “M” under the nozzle16. In the illustrated example, the conveyor 66 includes side rails 68which align the container C.

The controller 20 may be mounted to the support frame 46. The controller20 is programmed to open the fill valve 42 in response to an externalcommand, and is programmed to close the fill valve 42 in response to thesensor 18. Any device capable of performing this function may be used asthe controller, for example a programmable logic controller (“PLC”) or aconventional microcomputer (sometimes referred to as a personal computeror “PC”). A single multi-channel controller may be used to controlseveral fill valves 46. In the particular example shown the controller20 is a PLC.

Means are provided for triggering the controller 20 to open the fillvalve 42. Any type of manual or automatic switch or sensor may be usedfor this purpose, as required by the specific application. In theillustrated example, a foot switch 70 is connected to the controller 20with a cable 72.

In operation, the container C is positioned under the nozzle 16. Thiscould be done manually or by moving the container C into position withthe conveyor 66. In response to input from the foot switch 70, thecontroller 20 commands the solenoid 44 to open the fill valve 42.Product P will then flow from the supply 12 through the open fill valve42 and the nozzle 16 into the container C.

When the product P reaches the predetermined fill level, the output ofthe sensor 18 will constitute a signal indicative of this fact, referredto herein as a “filled signal”. When the controller 20 determines thatthe fluid level has reached a predetermined fill level, based on thefilled signal from the sensor 18, the controller 20 causes the solenoid44 to close the fill valve 42, stopping the flow of product P. Thefilling apparatus 10 is then ready to fill another container C. Thepredetermined fill level is independent from factors such as producttemperature, density, viscosity, pressure, compressibility, particulatecontent, and the like.

A properly filled container C can be used to calibrate the fillingapparatus 10. This would be accomplished by first placing the properlyfilled container C underneath the nozzle 16. Then the filling apparatus10 is adjusted so that the fill valve 42 just closes. Depending on theexact type of sensor 18 and controller 20 used, the specific adjustmentmay be a function of the sensor 18, for example a mechanical sensitivityor position adjustment, and/or adjustment of the controller 20, forexample an input gain adjustment.

The basic principles described above can be applied to many differentfilling equipment configurations.

For example, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a process in which a nozzle movesrelative to the container C before and after the filling step, but arestationary to each other during filling. A nozzle 116 (which may beelongated) has a sensor 118 mounted to it by a bracket 150. A containerC is carried on a support 166. The support 166 could be any type ofmoving or stationary mechanism. In FIG. 4, the nozzle 116 is outside thecontainer C and the container C and nozzle 116 are moving relativelytowards each other. This relative motion could be a result of the nozzle116 plunging downward, the container C being lifted by the support 166,or a combination of the two. In FIG. 5, the nozzle 116 is inserted intothe container C and the sensor 118 is in the proper position to detectthe required fill level in the container C. The product P is at therequired fill level and at this moment the nozzle 116 and the containerC are stationary with respect to each other. In FIG. 6, filling has beencompleted and the nozzle 116 and the container C are moving relativelyaway from each other. This type of nozzle/container relative motion maybe found, for example, in semi-automatic or fully automatic fillingmachines as well as rotary filling machines and “walking beam” fillingmachines, as described below.

As another example, FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a process in which a nozzlemoves relative to the container C during the filling step. A nozzle 216(which may be elongated) is provided. A container C is carried on asupport 266 similar to the support 160 described above. A sensor 218 ismounted to the support by a bracket 250. In FIG. 7, the nozzle 216 isinside the container C, and the container C and nozzle 216 are movingrelatively away from each other as product P fills the container C. Thisrelative motion could be a result of the nozzle 216 lifting upward, thecontainer C being lowered by the support 266, or a combination of thetwo. In FIG. 8, the nozzle 216 is partially lifted upwards relative tothe container C and the product P has reached a higher level. The sensor218 is in the proper position to detect the required fill level in thecontainer C. In FIG. 9, filling has been completed and the nozzle 216 iscompletely withdrawn from the container C. Because the sensor 218 isstationary relative to the container C, it is always in the properposition to determine when the required fill level has been reachedregardless of the relative motion between the nozzle 216 and thecontainer C. This type of nozzle/container relative motion may be found,for example, in in-line filling machines and rotary filling machines, asdescribed below.

It is possible to use more than one sensor. This may be desired,example, where a container C is to be filled at two or more differentrates, or where two or more different materials are to be loaded intothe container C in sequence. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate such a process.One or more nozzles 316 are provided. A container C is carried on asupport 366 similar to the support 160 described above. First and secondsensors 318 and 319 are mounted to the support by a bracket 350, at twodifferent levels “L1” and “L2” relative to the container C. In FIG. 10,the container C is being filled and the product P has not reached levelsL1 or L2. In FIG. 11, the product has reached level L1, triggering thesensor 318 to generate a filled signal. Once the sensor 318 istriggered, the filling process continues in a second phase, for exampleby filling the product P at a different rate, by filling with a second,different product from the same nozzle 316, or by filling with a secondproduct from a different nozzle moved into place over the container C.When the product P (or combination of products) has reached the secondlevel L2, triggering the sensor 319 to generate another filled signal,the filling process stops as described above. Multiple sensors may beprovided at various fill levels, and the fill process can includechanging the product flowrate or changing the product each time one ofthe sensors is triggered.

Rotary filling machines are the fastest known architecture, because theyeasily allow for fast, continuous motion of containers. A rotary fillingmachine comprises a plurality of filling stations, arranged around thecircumference of a revolving rotor. Each filling station includes afilling device typically having a nozzle and a container-holding devicefor securely holding and aligning each container as the containersrotate with the rotor during the filling process. Each nozzle isconnected to a hose. The other end of the hose is connected to a productreservoir(s). A conveyor transfers empty containers to an input spindlewhich synchronously feeds each successive empty container to a fillingstation. As each container travels around the filling zone with therotor, the container is filled with product by the filling device. Oncethe container is filled, it has rotated to an output spindle whichremoves the container from the filling station and feeds the filledcontainer back to the conveyor. Another section of the conveyor may thentransport the filled containers to a capping/lidding machine labelingmachine and/or a packing station. Examples of several rotary fillingmachines are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,191 and U.S. Pat. No.6,474,368.

In-line filling systems are characterized by the motion of thecontainers in a generally straight line through the product fillingarea. There are many types of in-line filling systems but they can bebroken down into two types of motion, namely intermittent motion andcontinuous motion. In the intermittent motion designs, a group of emptycontainers are serially conveyed or indexed into a plurality of fillingstations. The containers are then completely filled while they remainfixed and motionless. Once these groups of containers are filled, anindexing mechanism transports the filled group of containers out of thefilling area and another group of empty containers are conveyed into theposition of the filling stations. In order to increase the throughput ofthis type of in-line filling system, various derivative designs havebeen devised to increase the throughput. These include the multipleparallel lanes and nozzle design, the dead plate pushover design, theshifting nozzle design, and the parallel lane/staggered nozzle design.Each of these designs is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,796,

It is also known to have an in-line filling system which provides forcontinuous motion of the containers. One such design is the walking beamdesign. The walking beam filling system comprises a conveyor whichtransports containers to and from the liquid filling zone. Thecontainers move continuously in a straight line along the conveyor. Abank of nozzles are mounted to a beam. The nozzles are spaced apart suchthat each nozzle will align with the opening of the same number ofcontainers as the containers travel through the filling zone. The beamis affixed to a motorized beam mechanism which moves the bank of nozzleslaterally back and forth and vertically along the same line as thecontainers on the conveyor. The motorized beam mechanism moves the beamand the bank of nozzles in the direction synchronously with the movementof a group of containers as the containers are filled by the nozzles.

The motorized beam mechanism then returns the beam and nozzles back inthe direction at a rate of speed substantially greater than the speed ofthe conveyor. A filling cycle begins when the beam is accelerated fromrest at an initiation point to match the speed of the movement of thecontinuously moving containers on the conveyor and the nozzles arepositioned over the openings in the containers. The nozzles are thenlowered into the empty containers entering the filling zone from aninput side of the conveyor. The containers are filled with product whilethe beam, nozzles and containers continue to move synchronously alongwith the conveyor. Upon completion of the filling, the nozzles areretracted from the containers and the beam is stopped and reversed. Thebeam moves at a very rapid speed back toward the input side of theconveyor and stops at its initiation point.

In addition to being compatible with different types of filling machinearchitectures, the principles of the present invention as describedabove are compatible with many known filling techniques, some of whichare summarized as follows:

Bottom-up filling: Used for foamy products, or to reduce splashing,nozzles are lowered to the bottom of the container C before filling andthen rise just above the liquid as the container C is being filled.

Locate Filling: Used for non-foamy products; nozzles are located intothe neck of the container C, the product fills, and then the nozzles arepulled out. Higher production rates can typically be achieved using thismethod.

Static Filling: This filling technique is typically used for fillingmachines with no nozzle movement. Many semi-automatic or fully automaticfilling machines use this type of filling.

Profile Filling: Using servomotor technology allows the speed of thefilling process inside the container C to vary. For instance, theproduct may require filling at a fast speed for the first half of thefill and then slowing down for the second half of the fill.

Flammable/Hazardous Material Filling: Any product that is flammable orhazardous, i.e. defined as those liquids with a flashpoint of 38° C.(100° F.) or less, needs to be filled using an intrinsically-safemachine to assure that the filling process is safe for those workingnearby.

Hot Fill: This technique is used with products that must be heated andfilled at elevated temperatures. Some products such as sauces,condiments, and food ingredients may need to maintain an elevatedtemperature during the filling process in order to assure a sanitaryenvironment of the closed container C; others like deodorants, candles,lipstick, and mascara use the hot fill technique since the product iseither too thick or a solid at room temperature, and therefore, unableto flow through the pumps.

It is also possible to use one or more sensors to control a flowableproduct metering process. For example, FIG. 12 shows a meteringapparatus 500, used to meter a flow of flowable product from a feedcontainer. The basic components of the apparatus 500 are a supply 512 ofa flowable product P as described above, a metering valve assembly 514,one or more product level sensors 518, and a controller 520. Each ofthese components is described in more detail below.

The supply 512 is configured so that it is operable to cause theflowable product P to flow from the point where it is stored to themetering valve 512. Nonlimiting examples of means for causing flowinclude pumps, gas pressurization, mechanical feeders such as augers, orgravity flow. In the illustrated example, the supply 512 includes atleast one feed container 522 housing the flowable product P, coupled toa pump 524 by an intake line 526. A feed line 528 runs from the pump 524to the metering valve assembly 514.

The metering valve assembly 14 is connected by a discharge line 530 to areceiver “R”. The receiver R may be any container, apparatus, or processthat requires metered amounts of the flowable product P. For example,the receiver R could be a washing machine, mixer, compounder, coater, orother similar device.

The metering valve assembly 514 is functional to selectively permit flowfrom the supply 512 to the discharge line 530 or to close off that flow,in response to commands from the controller 520.

In the illustrated example, the metering valve assembly 514 includes ametering valve 542. The metering valve 542 is a pneumatically operated“pinch valve” identical to valve 42 described above, and a solenoid 544is connected between the fill valve 542 and the compressed air source A.The solenoid 544 is connected to the controller 520, for example by acable 546, and is operable either to permit compressed air flow to thefill valve 542 or to block compressed air flow, in response to thecontroller 520 or to be manipulated as necessary. All of the alternativeconfigurations described above for the fill valve assembly 14 areequally applicable to the metering valve assembly 514.

An array of product level sensors (referred to generally at 518) aremounted by a bracket 550 so that their tips are in the proper physicalrelationship to the feed container 522. Each sensor 518 corresponds to aspecific fill level of the feed container 522. In the illustratedexample, there are 10 equally-spaced sensors 518, and for reference, thesensors 518 are labeled 518-1 through 518-10. The spacing betweensensors 518 can be set so that it corresponds to a specific increment ofproduct volume.

Each product level sensor 518 may be any device operable to determinewhen the level of the product P in the feed container 522 is at apredetermined fill level. The sensor 518 need only generate a simplebinary signal indicating that product is either present or not presentwithin the threshold of the sensor's range. Nonlimiting examples ofsensor operational principles include inductance, capacitance, light,sound, heat, air temperature, colorimeter, pH, and nuclear. In theillustrated example, the sensors 518 are capacitance-type sensorsidentical to the sensors 18 described above. Each sensor 518 is operablycoupled to the controller 520, for example by cables 548. Thisconnection can be wired or wireless.

Operation of the metering apparatus begins with product P at a knownlevel in the feed container 522. For example, as seen in FIG. 12, theproduct P is approximately at the level of the ninth sensor 518-9, andall of the sensors 518 below the ninth sensor 518-9 would generate asignal indicating “present”. In response to input from a foot switch 570or other suitable trigger, the controller 520 commands the solenoid 544to open the metering valve 542. Product P will then flow from the supply512 through the open metering valve 542 into the receiver R.

As the product P leaves the feed container 522, each sensor 518 willchange state sequentially. For example, when the product falls below thetrigger range of the eighth sensor 518-8, its signal will change from“present” to “not present”.

The controller 520 is programmed to stop the fill process when selectedsensors 518 have changed signal state from “present” to “not present”.When the selected sensors 518 have changed state, the controller 520causes the solenoid 544 to close the fill valve 542, stopping the flowof product P. The metering apparatus 500 is then ready for anothermetering cycle.

The controller 520 may be programmed to simply count how many sensors518 have changed state, or it may track independent inputs. For example,if the feed container 522 is to be emptied from sensor 518-9 to sensor518-6, the controller 520 could be programmed to either count that threesensors 518 have changed state, or it could be programmed to identifythat “not present” signals have been received from each of sensors518-8, 518-7, and 518-6. Any number of sensors 518 can constitute ametering cycle, and the number can be different each time.

FIG. 13 illustrates another metering apparatus 500′ generally identicalto the metering apparatus 522 described above, having a feed container522′, metering valve 542′, controller 520′, and receiver R′. Theapparatus 522′ has an alternative sensor configuration. A single sensor518′ (identical to the sensors 518 described above) is mounted to anupright elongated bracket 550′ by a moveable holder 552. The meteringapparatus 522′ is operated by first moving the holder 552 to set thesensor 518′ at a desired level below the current level of flowableproduct P in the feed container 522′. In response to input from a footswitch 570′ or other suitable trigger, the controller 520′ opens themetering valve 542′. Product P will then flow from the feed container522′ through the open metering valve 542′ into the receiver R′. Thecontroller 520′ is programmed to close the metering valve 542′ and stopthe fill process when the sensor 518′ changes signal state from“present” to “not present”. The volume of product P discharged dependson the distance “D” from the starting level of the product P to theposition of the sensor 518′. This distance D can be set however neededfor a particular metering cycle.

The apparatus and method described above have several advantages overthe prior art. It allows for materials with particulate matter to befilled. Its operation allows viscosity changes due in part totemperature, pressure or batch-to-batch variation. The filling apparatus10 can fill containers C with a wide range of liquid viscosities,meaning anything that can be made to flow can be measured. Nonlimitingexamples of liquids that can be filled using the apparatus includesulfuric acid (0.2 centipoise, water-thin and free flowing) to maplesyrup (144 centipoise, semi-viscous) to tomato paste (190,000 centipoiseand extremely viscous). The filling apparatus 10 is streamlined and canbe easily setup and cleaned-up with minimal product waste. It allows fora quick change over of different size bottles, containers, pouches, etc.and quick product changeovers. Neither the filling apparatus 10 nor themetering apparatus 500 requires expensive metering pumps, or complicatedhoses and electronics. Also, they can simplify rotary systems, byeliminating the need for mechanical, manual or electrical filled timing.

The foregoing has described a container filling apparatus and method.While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A method of filling a container with a flowable product, comprising:flowing a first flowable product from a product supply through a valveand a nozzle into the container while the container is carried on asupport; using a first sensor to determine when the flowable product hasreached a first predetermined fill level within the container, and togenerate a first filled signal indicative thereof, wherein the firstsensor is disposed outside the container and does not physically contactthe flowable product; and based on the first filled signal from thefirst sensor, closing the valve so as to stop the flow of the firstflowable product.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising using acontroller operably coupled to the valve and the first sensor to closethe valve.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising moving the nozzleor the support while the container is being filled.
 4. The method ofclaim 3 wherein the first sensor is disposed in a fixed positionrelative to the nozzle.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the firstsensor is disposed in a fixed position relative to the support.
 6. Amethod of filling a container with a flowable product, comprising:providing at least one product supply comprising at least one feedcontainer containing a flowable product, coupled to a valve and anozzle; providing at least one support for a container; providing two ormore sensors disposed in preselected positions corresponding todifferent fill levels of flowable product within the container, whereineach sensor is operable to generate a filled signal in response toflowable product reaching one of the fill levels within the container;flowing a flowable product from the at least one product supply throughthe corresponding valve and nozzle into the container, while thecontainer is carried by the at least one support; using each sensor togenerate a filled signal as flowable product reaches a fill levelcorresponding to that sensor, and in response to each filled signal,either: (a) operating the corresponding valve so as to change theflowrate of the flowable product currently flowing into the container;or (b) operating the corresponding valve to stop the flow of theflowable product and flowing a different flowable product from the atleast one product supply through the corresponding valve and nozzle intothe container, while the container is carried by the at least onesupport.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising stopping the flowof all flowable products when a final filled level is reached.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising moving the nozzle or the at leastone support while the container is being filled.
 9. The method of claim6 wherein the flowable product includes an abrasive.
 10. The method ofclaim 6 wherein the valve is a pinch valve.
 11. The method of claim 6wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor.
 12. An apparatus for fillinga container with a flowable product, comprising: a product supplyoperable to create a flow of the flowable product; a nozzle; a valvecoupled between the product supply and the nozzle; a sensor mounted in apreselected position relative to the apparatus, the sensor operable togenerate a first filled signal in response to the product reaching apredetermined fill level within the container, wherein the sensor isdisposed outside the container and does not physically contact theflowable product; and a controller operably coupled to the sensor,wherein the controller is operable to operate the valve in response tothe filled signal.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising asupport configured to support a container underneath the nozzle.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein the nozzle and the support are configuredto move relative to each other.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 whereinthe sensor is disposed in a fixed position relative to the nozzle. 16.The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sensor is disposed in a fixedposition relative to the support.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12 whereinthe valve is a pinch valve.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein thesensor is a capacitive sensor.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein thesupply includes at least one feed container and a pump.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller is a programmable logiccontroller.
 21. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising: at leastone additional sensor mounted in a preselected position relative to theapparatus, the sensor operable to generate an additional filled signalin response to the product reaching a predetermined fill level withinthe container; wherein the additional sensor is operably coupled to thecontroller.
 22. A method of metering a flowable product from a feedcontainer, comprising: providing a product supply comprising a feedcontainer containing a flowable product, coupled to a valve; providing asensor disposed in a position corresponding to a selected fill level offlowable product within the feed container, wherein the sensor isoperable to generate a signal indicating that the flowable product iseither present or not present at the selected fill level, and whereinthe sensor is disposed outside the feed container and does notphysically contact the flowable product; flowing the flowable productfrom the feed container through the valve; and in response to a signalfrom the sensor indicating that the flowable product is not present,closing the valve to stop the flow of the flowable product.
 23. Themethod of claim 22 wherein the sensor is carried by a moveable holder,the method including: prior to flowing the flowable product, moving themoveable holder to position the sensor at a desired fill level.
 24. Themethod of claim 22 wherein a plurality of sensors are disposed in anarray corresponding to a plurality of selected fill levels of flowableproduct within the container, the method further comprising: while theflowable product is flowing, using each sensor to generate a signal thatflowable product is not present as flowable product passes a fill levelcorresponding to that sensor, and in response to a plurality of thesensors generating a signal indicating the flowable product is notpresent, closing the valve to stop the flow of the flowable product. 25.(canceled)
 26. The method of claim 24 wherein the valve is closed inresponse to a selected number of the sensors generating a signalindicating the flowable product is not present.
 27. The method of claim24 wherein the valve is closed in response to a specific group of thesensors generating a signal indicating the flowable product is notpresent.
 28. An apparatus for metering a flowable product from a feedcontainer, comprising: a product supply comprising a feed container,coupled to a valve; a sensor disposed in a position corresponding to aselected fill level of flowable product within the feed container,wherein the sensor is operable to generate a signal indicating that theflowable product is either present or not present at the selected filllevel, and wherein the sensor is disposed outside the feed container anddoes not physically contact the product; and a controller operablycoupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is programmed to close thevalve to stop the flow of the flowable product in response to a signalfrom the sensor indicating that the flowable product is not present. 29.The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the sensor is carried by a holderwhich is moveable along a bracket.
 30. The apparatus of claim 28wherein: a plurality of sensors are disposed in an array correspondingto a plurality of selected fill levels of flowable product within thecontainer; and wherein the controller is programmed to close the valveto stop the flow of the flowable product in response to a plurality ofthe sensors generating a signal indicating the flowable product is notpresent.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the controller isprogrammed to close the valve in response to a selected number of thesensors generating a signal indicating the flowable product is notpresent.
 32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the controller isprogrammed to close the valve in response to a specific group of thesensors generating a signal indicating the flowable product is notpresent.